Cat Spraying - Mount Laurel,NJ

Updated on May 03, 2011
R.P. asks from Denver, CO
4 answers

I have a 14 year old male neutered cat. My mother-in-law is terminally ill, and she asked us to take her female 12 year old spayed cat. I begged my husband to say "no". My mother-in-law's cat is so affectionate, and could easily be put up for adoption. My husband ended up bringing his mom's cat to our house to live without even telling me until he showed up with the cat carrier. My cat started spraying all over the place. We took him to the vet, so we know the problem is behavioral and not physical. Since then: I have used every type of cleaning product on the market, as well as natural solutions. I now have three littlerboxes in our very very small house, where it had been hard to find space for just one. I have figured out a way to keep the cats separated. I started using Feliway diffusers and spray. I had decent results with the Feliway - episodes diminished from once or twice a day to once a week. However, we are watching a very tight budget and honestly cannot keep buying the Feliway. One diffuser lasts two weeks and costs quite a bit of money. The vet put my cat on medication, which is also helping. We have hardwood floors, and he is not allowed in rooms with carpeting, so at least we don't have to worry about carpet. His main spots now are doormats and bathroom contour rugs in front of the toilet. I have gotten rid of those. I like the way they look and feel, but I'd rather have my cat than the rugs. I put mats outside the door to wipe our feet, but there is one entrance in a high traffic area where we really could use a mat inside the door as well, to protect our floors. I suggested just taking our shoes off when we come in, but my husband has a lot of foot problems, and refuses to take his shoes off in the house. We just bought new curtains for our sliding glass door. They touch the floor a little bit, and the cat sprayed on those. The worst part is that my husband will not helpwith the cleaning or problem solving. I think that every time I mention the problem, it reminds him of the situation with his mom, and he just shuts down or gets mad at me. He wants me to put my cat to sleep. Our 9 year old son doesn't seem to care, because the cat peed on some of his toys before I started using Feliway. Basically, I am this cat's only friend right now. I can't bear the thought of putting this cat down, but I am tired of cleaning, spending extra money we don't have, and smelling cat pee when I walk in the house. Last night he peed in front of the toilet where the rug used to be. My friend, who is a vet, said not to let the situation come between me and my husband, and that if I put him down I shouldn't feel bad because I have tried everything. Is it time to say good-bye to my 14 year old feline? I am worried that when we go away for a weekend he will pee and it won't get cleaned up right away. Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for reading through such a long post. Just a brief update - our vet says that a cat who sprays cannot be put up for adoption. I have begged my husband to work with me to find a nice home for his mom's cat, but he refuses. This cat is his mom's baby, and he feels he is being a good son by honoring his mother's wishes. If I approach the subject, my husband reminds me that he would give anything to not be in this situation and asks if I can be a little more understanding.

More Answers

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D.K.

answers from State College on

I wouldn't and since the mother in law's cat came second and started the issue, I would talk to your husband about the possibility of rehoming her to remove the stress from your cat. That being said, now that you have the behavior it is harder to get rid of, but it sounds like it is already improving. I don't think it is fair to boot the resident cat usually. I do know cats that have been euthanized for this reason, but most of them also had other things wrong as well.

We have a cat with sterile cystisis and when stressed she will pee out of the box. She is on meds and urinary diet as well as cosequin to manage her and is doing really well currently.

Make sure every area is really cleaned up. If you think their may be more urine, a black light will make it show up. I like nature's miracle for cleaning up.

Feliway is great, you may be able to find the refills cheaper online. Also there is a product called cat attract that you add to the litter and I know people who have had success with it. The behavioral medications take awhile to build up in their system, not sure how long your cat has been on them. Some cats also do better on different medications. I knew one that did great when on a medication that is usually used for pain (found out by accident when no problems after a dental where he had teeth pulled). The owner were starting to talk about euthansia, but the cat did fine after the dental so they ended up keeping him on a low dose and no more problems.

The best of luck to you and your kitty

2 moms found this helpful
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E.F.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You are in a tough situation here. I'm not sure what the best answer is, but I think you should feel proud of yourself for working so hard to try to meet everyone's needs. I personally think your husband is being unreasonable, but he may be in a place right now where he can't be reasonable. I guess I would try the behavior modification (not in an abusive way) and then make a decision from there.

My folks always disciplined cats with a water pistol-- the trick is that they can't SEE the water pistol. They have to think that God Himself is squirting them or it doesn't work. Our cats never got on counters or tables or anything like that because they got squirted-- of course, we started when they were kittens, but it is worth a try. Your poor cat. :-(

1 mom found this helpful
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T.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

and your cat will keep peeing in the house he is marking his home and it is like you bringing in another woman LOL and living with her.
good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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T.N.

answers from Boston on

Can't you find him a new home instead of euthanasia? Or....find your mother in laws cat a new home? This sounds horrible.....but she would never know.

1 mom found this helpful
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